Now, don't get me wrong. I love my baby, nothing has brought me more enjoy & purpose to life. But things are a lot easier to deal with when I don't have him in tow. Errands are actually ran. A cup of coffee can be enjoyed. Chores will become accomplished.
Today I had the surprise of leaving the kid with Daddy, who was staying home from class (he didn't need to go in today). I planned my escape with anticipation.
Walmart isn't the most glamorous location to run away to in any case, but I will take what I can get nowadays. You take regular activities for granted before you have kids. Children teach you to enjoy the little things.
Like being able to quickly select a shopping cart, throw your purse in the seat, and go! No struggling with diaper bag, no screaming baby, or stares from other consumers.
What a joy it is to just toss your crap anywhere in the car without having to worry if it will topple over and crush your kid. You have (seemingly) unlimited space, and the sky is your limit!
And after you've bought your essentials (me: borax, calgon & washing soda for cloth diaper laundry) you are free to speed through the self-check out aisle, which is much faster than the regular cashier's lane, and even faster than usual now because you are free to ring everything up yourself. No baby to keep an eye on, stop from grabbing everything within eye level, or keep from trying to climb out the seat.
Next stop-the drive thru coffee shop! I would have went inside, but I myself have grown accustomed to drive thru. It's nearly your only option if you don't want to lug a child through the establishment. But today-no fussy baby wanting to go home. I don't have to worry about the wait. It's worth the ten minutes it takes in line and I get that one, simple but satisfying, carnal pleasure that is a mocha frappachino (Elliano's version anyway).
There's nothing like sipping on frozen coffee while standing in line at the post office. Correction: nothing like doing this without carrying your baby under one arm. Secretly wishing the line were longer, I took my time writing out the address, telling the post office clerk, "take your time" as she refilled the receipt paper before giving me the tracking number for the package I was sending. Almost time to go home.
Taking the long road back, I reflect on the amount of time I've actually been away from the house. Not long, really. But oddly enough, as much as I needed alone time, I can't wait to get back to my baby. He doesn't notice I've been gone all this time, still playing with Daddy and the stuffed Chewbacca he got for Christmas. Sometimes all we need is a short break to recharge. And even though some things are way easier without him, it's so much better to finally be done with it so I can get back to him.
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